THE PEARL PLATE AWARDED $10,000 BACKING SMALL BUSINESSES ENHANCEMENT GRANT THROUGH AMERICAN EXPRESS AND MAIN STREET AMERICA

On Tuesday, June 25, American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program. The Pearl Plate is among 500 out of 5,000 recipients of this national grant program.

This grant could not have come at a better time with our new location! We plan to use these funds on improving the new building, buying new inventory, as well as starting on our future on-site cooking class space.

I can't express how thankful I am for this opportunity. I'd like to personally thank everyone involved in making this grant possible, as well as our local Madison Main Street for introducing me to this program to be able to apply in the first place! I love this community and I can't wait for what's to come!

-Tyler Mingione, Owner, The Pearl Plate

Photo Credit to Lindsay Holley with Madison Main Street Program

American Express and Main Street America announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. The program’s 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.

Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.

This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.